Message for Monty
First up I would like to wish Monty a speedy recovery. As well as a great work colleague, he has become a good friend over the last few years and I'll really miss seeing him every week at Berryfields, and of course on the TV on Friday nights as we all will. He's planning on spending plenty of time in his own garden, which I'm sure is just what the doctor ordered and the best place to relax for as long as it takes to get better.
After a seriously busy Chelsea last week I went away for a few days with the family, although I mostly slept! And then went straight back up to Berryfields to film in the herb garden. I dug out a few overgrown plants such as the rosemary, angelica and lovage, which were casting too much shade and were out of scale in general, with a plan to create more space for herbs that would get eaten on a regular basis.
I haven't been to the allotment since the day before Chelsea started, when I frantically weeded and watered and covered the areas that weren't under cultivation with fabric, cardboard and anything else I could get my hands on, to suppress any weeds. The weather has been pretty kind recently with great growing conditions - a combination of warmth and rain - so hopefully everything will be ok. Being at Berryfields made me want to get some more herbs into my allotment too - as well as sow some more seed - to give me a good continuation of fodder through the summer. My situation with the allotment is probably pretty common as I'm trying to find a balance between work and other commitments, while keeping it all going. I've been reading Terry Walton's book My Life on a Hillside Allotment, which is full of good tips as well as great stories of his life. He spends around four hours a day on his, which can't be the norm can it? If it is... help!
I'll let you know how I get on and how it's all looking next week. Cheers, Joe
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